Baby Jeremy's Story

Five months old Jeremy was born with bilateral clubfeet. He lives in Quito with his mother, father and two older siblings. Jeremy's mom Rocio found out about CAMTA through a television advertisement. She hopes that CAMTA will help because she could not afford the treatment otherwise. Rocio wants Jeremy to be able to lead a normal life, where he can enjoy riding his bicycle with his brother and sister and play soccer with his friends.

Clubfoot deformity occurs in one-two in 1000 births across the world and is one of the most common orthopedic deformity in newborns, says physiotherapist Krystle Steeves. In developed countries, it is treated soon after birth, usually through the Ponseti method. The Ponseti method requires the infant's foot to be casted every week for a 4-6 week period, with the angle of the foot straightened slightly with each casting. The final step is a, tenotomy, a tiny incision to cut the Achilles tendon which provides the final release. To avoid relapse, the patient usually wears a brace for 3-4 years. In developing nations, a clubfoot is often left untreated and becomes a debilitating deformity that significantly reduces quality of life. The Ponseti method can correct a clubfoot deformity at a relatively low cost, with 95% effective rate. As long as it's treated early, when the child's bones are still soft and moldable, the procedure if very effective, explains orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gupta. CAMTA's orthopedic surgeons are challenged to condense the procedure to the two week period of the mission. To read more about clubfoot deformity and the Ponseti method click: http://www.ponseti.info/

Baby Jeremy bravely endures the procedure that puts his tiny little legs in a cast from his toes all the way up his thighs. Dr. Gupta and CAMTA team member Barb Moreau work quickly so that Jeremy can be returned to the comforting arms of his mother.